Apparatus for developing films



G, M EYE my m m5.

FOR DEVELOPING FILMS APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed DeC. 5l, 1934 July 199 1938. G, M, DYE

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS Juy 3Q, Mf G. M. DYE

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 3l

July 19 i938.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS `Iuly 9, 1938. G. M. DYE

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILMS Filed Dec. 31, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 0 M www f iw j III Patented July` 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically handling articles requiring treatment in various liquids and while the same may have various applications, it particularly is designed ior use with sensitized sheets or plates used in photography. As is well known to those skilled in the art, most pictures are now taken on films and the common photographic lms are now furnished in rolls which are several feet in length and these iilms are usually developed while in one piece. r"he films are rst placed in a receptacle having a developing liquid therein, are then commonly placed in another receptacle having what is called a short-stop solution, are then progressed through one or more receptacles containing hypo solution and are then moved through one or more receptacles containing water o r a washing solution.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which will automatically convey the film or lrns used on a suitable holder into the rst receptacle and which will successively move said lm or films Athrough the various receptacles, transferring the same from one receptacle to another at the desired times and which will also agit-ate the lm or illms in the various receptacles, a plurality of said holders being handled simultaneously.

It is a further object oi' the invention to provide an apparatus as set forth in the above paragraph in which the lms are transferred from one receptacle to another at certain times and to provide means by which the intervals between these times can be varied.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus comprising a plurality of receptacles placed side by side and containing the treating liquids, a conveyor movable adjacent said receptacles upon which holders are mounted from which the iilms depend into said receptacles, means being provided to lift said holders at certain times, advance the same and lower the same to transfer them into the next receptacle together with means for reciprocating said holders and lms to agitato the lms in the liquids between said times.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an apparatus as set forth in the preceding paragraph which includes a driving means. a clutch for operating said last mentioned means, a clutch for operating said first mentioned means and means operating at xed intervals for connecting one of said clutches to said driving means and disconnecting the other whereby said two means are alternately operated'.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an apparatus as set forth in the last paragraph save one which will be disposed in a dark room and move said lms out of said dark room, together with means comprising stationary plates for shielding said films from direct light during their movements in said apparatus.

These and other objects and advantages of 'the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in whiclm- Fig. l is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of said machine;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l as indicatedby the arrow;

Fig. 4 is a partial View in front elevation shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a partial view of Fig. 4 shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section Fig. 5;

taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 7 is a substantially central longitudinal section through the machine;

Fig. 8 is a partial plan view of the port:

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a view in front elevation as seen from the left of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line iI-li of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line lZ-i 2 of Fig. 2, some parts being omitted;

Fig. 13 is a View in side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken substan- ,tially on line 14-14 of Fig. '7 as indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken on line I5-i5 of Fig. 17 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line IG-IB of Fig. 7 as indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 17 is a section taken substantially on line I'l-I'l of Fig. 2 as indicated by the arrows, Figs. 14 to 17 being shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section taken substantially motor supline 9 9 of Fig. 8

on line I8-I8 of Fig. 17, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 19 is a partial view in elevation of the front part of the machine shown in Fig. 'I as indicated by line IB--IS in Fig. 20;

Fig. 20 is a horizontal section taken on lines 26-20 of Figs. 1 and 19 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 21 is a vertical section taken on line 2 l-2l of Fig. 19 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 22 is a horizontal section taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 7 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 23 is a horizontal section taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 7 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 24 is a horizontal section taken on line 24-24 of Fig. '7 as indicated by the arrow; and

Fig. 25 is a vertical section taken on line 25--25 of Fig. 23 as indicated by the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises a frame formed by corner posts 25 and while these posts might be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as made of channel bars having their channel sides directed inwardly. Posts 25 are connected adjacent their tops at both sides of said frame by smaller channel bars 26. Similar channel bars 26 connect the posts 25 somewhat adjacent their lower ends and an angle bar 21 also extends between and is secured to rear posts 25 adjacent their bottoms. A rigid frame is thus produced. Within the posts 25 at the bottom thereof resting on the oor or other support for the machine is a sink or tank 2B which is of comparatively small height, this tank in practice being approximately 12 inches high. Within the tank 26 at one end thereof is another tank 29, the front end of which is disposed against the iront end of tank 28, this tank 25 being of considerable length and extending for the greater part of the length of tank 26. Within tank 29 and substantially occupying the whole length thereof are three tanks designated respectively 36, 3i and 32. Said latter three tanks are of considerably less width than tank 29 as shown in Fig. 3. Tank 29 in practice serves as a water jacket and cool water is circulated about the tanks 36, 3i and 32. While tanks 36, 3| and 32 might be variously made, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as being integrally formed with a common wall and bottom, being separated by partitions and in practice they preferably are formed of a rubber composition. In the rear of tank 29 and disposed closely adjacent thereto is a fourth tank 33 and in the rear of tank 33 is still another tank 34. While tanks 33 and 34 can be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention. illustrated they are shown as having a common wall and bottom and as being divided by a partition 33a. The rear end of tank 34 is spaced some distance from the rear of tank 2B as shown in Fig. '1. A tank lling or fluid removing means is provided for tank 29 indicated as a conduit 35a having an open end entering the upper end of tank 23 and communicating with a pipe 36 which has an open end adjacent the bottom of the tank 26 and at one side of tank 33. A valve 31 is shown disposed in pipe 36 by means of which iiow through said pipe may be shut olf or permitted. An ejector 35 is disposed in pipe 36. Another pipe 3B forming a supply pipe for tanks 33 and 34 is shown and this is connected to the bottom of said tanks. Pipe 38 is supplied through a pipe 39 connected to pipe 38 by a suitable T. Pipe 38 is also shown as having a valve 40 therein similar to valve 31. A valve 4| is shown as disposed between overiiow pipe 36 and the pipe 38 and another valve 42 illustrated as of the globe type is disposed in the water supply pipe 39. Pipe 33 will be connected to some suitable water supply such as the city mains. A drain board or plate 43 extends from a point adjacent the rear of tank 34 outwardly some distance and has its inner end -disposed over the inner end of tank 26. Tank 26 is provided with a drain spout 26a which will be connected by suitable means to a sewer or other disposal means.

Secured to the inner side of the rear iiange of each rear post is a bracketl 45 which extends inwardly and forwardly and has pivotally secured thereto by the headed and nutted bolt 45a one end of a track member 48. An end member 46 has a longitudinal slot 46a therein through which passes a, headed and nutted bolt 41 adjustably securing saidv member to track member 48. Member 46 has a flange with a semi-cylindrical end which alines with a top horizontal flange 46a on member 48. Member 48 has a vertical web portion and a lower horizontal flange with an upturned i'lange at its edge forming a trough as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. An endless open-link chain 49 extends around the end of bracket 46 and has its upper run traveling on flange 48a and its lower run traveling in trough or channel 46h. A pair of brackets 50 are disposed at the front of the machine and carried on studs 5l secured in the front sides of the forward posts 25. Brackets 56 have slots 50a therein through which studs 5l pass and washers 52 are disposed between the heads of studs 5i and brackets 56, said washers preferably being of fibre. Brackets 5U have laterally and inwardly extending arms provided with flanges engaging the sides of the forward ends of members 46 and secured thereto by the bolts 52a. The forward ends of the members 48 are therefore carrier by brackets 56. Brackets 46 such as already described are also secured to the front ends of members 48 and have semi-cylindrical ends about which pass chains 49. Brackets 56 also have forwardly extending lugs from which extend studs 53, the outer ends of which extend through slots 54a in the lower ends of links 54 which extend upwardly at each side of the machine and are connected at their upperends by studs 55 to crank disks 56. Crank disks 56 are secured to the outer ends of a shaft 51 by any suitable means such as the pins 58. Shaft 51 is journaled in a bearing 59a carried by a bracket 59 secured to one of the forward posts 25. A worm wheel gear 66 is journaled on shaft 51 and held in position thereon by collars 6i and 62 disposed at either side thereof and secured to said shaft in any suitable manner as by the set screws 61a and 62a shown. Worm wheel gear 66 has projecting from its inner side one end of a stud 63. A clutch member 64 is slidably mounted on shaft 51. This member has an elongated opening or slot 64a therein in one side of which is disposed a collar 65a forming the outer race of a ball bearing 65 through the inner race of which extends a stud 66 threaded into shaft 51. Shaft 51 is flattened somewhat at the part engaged by ball bearing 65. Member 64 is thus slidable longitudinally of shaft 51 and movable very freely thereon due to the ball bearing 65. Member 64 has an outwardly extending arm *rom one end of which projects longitudinally of shaft 51 a pin 64b. Pin 64b is the same radial distance from shaft 51 as stud 63 and adapted to engage said stud to be driven thereby when clutch member 64 is in engaging position. A coiled compression spring 61 surrounds shaft 51 and bears at one end against member 64 and at its other end against a collar 60 secured to shaft 51 by any suitable means such as the set screw 68a shown. A shaft 69 is journaled in the bearing 59h of bracket 59 and shafts 51 and 69 are journaled at their opposite ends in a bracket 10 secured to thc other front post 25. Another worm Wheel gear 1| is journaled on shaft 59, being held thereon by collars 12 and 13 secured to shaft 69 in any suitable manner as by the set screws 12a and 13a shown. Another collar 14 is secured to the shaft 69 outside of bearing 59 by f the set screw shown and a sprocket wheel is secured to the outer end of shaft 61 in any suitable manner as by the pin 16. A similar sprocket 15 is secured to the other end of shaft 69 being spaced from bearing 10 by another collar 14 similar to the one already described. Worm wheel gear 1| has a stud 11 secured thereto and projecting from its inner side, one side of which isbcveled as shown in Fig. 5 thus having a sur- -face inclining away from said gear at one circumferential side thereof. Gear 1| also has a plate spring 1in secured to its inner side extending circumferentially of said gear and inclining away from the same to a point substantially in line with the end of stud 11. Another clutch member 18, similar in all respects to the member 64 already described, is slidably mounted on shaft 69 and has a slot receiving another ball bearing 19 identical with ball bearing 55 already described and which is secured to shaft 09 by a stud 80, shaft 69 also being flattened at the part engaged by said ball bearing. Clutch member 18 has a radially extending arm from which pro jects longitudinally of shaft 59 a pin 18a which is adapted at times to engage with stud 11. A coiled compression spring 8i surrounds shaft 69 bearing at one end against clutch member 18 and at its other end against a collar 02 secured to shaft 89 by any suitable means such as the set screw 82a shown. Clutch members 64 and 16 have collars adjacent one end thereof, which collars are engaged by the ends of a lever or dog 83 pivoted by a stud 84 to a bar 85 which extends across and between the front sides of forward posts 25. Member 83 has a central arm in which is formed an open-ended slot 83a adapted to receive a pin 86 projecting from one side of a trip lever 81 pivoted on a. stud 8B secured in bar 95. Lever 81 extends downwardly at an angle and has lower weighted portion 81a and said lever has a stud 39 on which is journaled a roller 90, which roller is adapted to engage the periphery of a wheel 9i, which wheel has a recess Sla in its periphery one side of which inclines to said periphery and the other side of which forms a decided angle with said periphery. Worm wheel gears 50 and 1| are constantly in mesh with a worm gear 92 secured to a shaft 93 journaled in a bearing carried by bracket 59. Shaft 93 has secured to its outer end a grooved pulley 94 over which runs a belt 95 also running over a grooved pulley 9B secured to the armature shaft of a motor 91. Motor 91 is secured to a supporting plate or bracket 98. Plate 98 has a projecting portion substantially rectangular in plan having lower flanges 98a at its inner corners which project at each side thereof, and said portion also has projecting flanges 98b at itsouter corners which project at each side thereof. A pair of studs 99 are secured in and project from bar 85 and have disposed thereon rubber rollers or cyl- 3 inders |00. Bracket 98 is disposed so that the inner flanges 98a are beneath the rollers |00 respectively while projecting flanges 9817 are on top of said rollers respectively. Bracket 98 is thus supported on these rollers and the weight of the motor 91 retains the bracket in place, the friction of the rollers preventing outward movement of said bracket.

Wheel 9| is journaled on a stud |0| secured in a bar 85a and a lever arm |02 is also journaled on stud |0I. Lever arm |02 has a stud |03 secured in one end thereof on which is pivoted an arm |04. Arm |04 carries a stud |05 on which is secured a rubber block or roller |06. Arm |04 has a weighted portion |04a at the end which carries stud |05. Lever |02 has a slot |02a extending longitudinally thereof adjacent its upper side adapted to receive one or more studs |01 carrying indicating members |08 formed of thin sheet material and having their lower ends pointed. Lever |02 has another slot |02b in its lower side into which extends the upper end of an arm |09. Arm |09 has a pointed upper end adjacent slot |0212 adapted to aline with the adjacent end of the indicators |08 and has a portion ||l9a extending into slot |02b and forming a shoulder which engages and lifts arm |02. Said arm may also have an arrow thereon adjacent its upper pointed end. Arm 09 has lugs projecting from its lower side bored to receive a cylindrical rod il El so that said arm is slidable on said rod and may be held in any desired position thereon by means of the hand screw ill. Rod H0 extends between links 54 already de scribed and is secured to said links by the studs |52.

A pair of brackets |63 formed of strip material are secured to bar 95 adjacent each end thereof and extend outwardly and downwardly in a forward direction, their lower portions having horizontal and upwardly inclined parts.

Secured to the inner side of each of the posts 25 just above lower bar 26 is a stud H8 on which is journaled a sprocket H9. Studs are journaled in bearings |20a secured in posts 25 adjacent the upper ends thereof and sprockets |2| are secured to studs |20 at the inner sides of said posts. Endless chains v|22 run over the vertically alined sprockets ||9 and |2| in each of the posts 25. The studs sides of the posts and have secured thereto the sprockets |23. Studs |24 are carried in small brackets secured to the inner flanges of the forward posts 25 and have journaled thereon grooved rollers |25. An endless chain |26 at each side of the machine runs over sprockets |23 under the upper roller |25 the forward sprocket |23, over the lower roller |25 and over sprockets 15 secured to the shaft 69. A block |21 is secured to each chain |22 and said block is also connected to a plate |28, which plate extends along the inner side of the adjacent post 25, there being four of these plates. A link |2211 of each chain |22 has a pin |2213 projecting therefrom on which is oscillatably mounted the block i21, a bushing |21a being secured in said block and receiving said pin. A headed and nutted bolt |29 extends through the upper end of block |21 and plate |28 and a headed and nutted bolt |29a extends through the lower portion of block |21 and plate |28, the same passing through an arcuate slot extending transversely thereof and formed in plate |28. Blocks |21 and plates |28 are thus vertically movable with chains |22. Plates |28 move which is adjacent |20 extend to the outer r along the inner edges of the flanges of the posts 25 and small angle bars |34 extend vertically at each side of said plates respectively. One bar |34 is secured to one post 25 and the other angle bar |34 is secured at its top and bottom to a plate (not shown) which is also secured to post 25. Chains |22 'in the rear posts 25 move in guideways |35 formed by a channel bar |35a and a smaller channel bar |3517 secured to the inner side of said posts 25. A rail |30 extends between plates |28 at each side of the machine and is secured thereto by bolts |30a, said rails being shown as of channel form in cross section having their flanges directed outward1y. Carriers |3| are secured in definite spaced relation to the top of each rail |30, one of these carriers being secured to the outer end of each plate |28. Also secured to chains |22 at some distance from the block |21 are several counterweights |32. Chains |22 have certain links |22c from which project Vpins |22d. Counterweights |32 are of the shape shown in Fig. 19 and have flanges |32a extending alongside of chains |22, which flanges are apertured to receive the pins |22d. A set screw |53 extends through each of said flanges to hold counterweight |32 in position on pin |22d. A weighted arm or lever |30 is pivoted on a stud |31 at the inner side of one of the forward posts 25, said arm extending forwardly o f said post where it has the weighted portion |36a. Said arm has a stud |38 therein which projects at one side thereof and carries a small roller |39. A trip arm |40 is also pivoted to said post by a stud |4| disposed above arm |36 and the same has a step portion or recessed portion |40a adapted at times to receive roller |39 and hold arm |36 in elevated position as shown in Fig. 7. A stud |2811 projects from the upper forward corner of one carrier |3| at the outer side thereof and carries a small roller |28b adapted to engage in the upward movement of said plate |28 with the under side of lever |36. Arm |40 has a lower offset portion |401) disposed adjacent the top of one chain |22 in position to be engaged by the forward counterweight |32. A rod |42 has its upper end bent substantially at a right angle and pivoted in the forward end of arm |36, the same being held therein by a split key |43. Rod |42 extends downwardly and has its lower end also bent substantially at a right angle and pivoted in the end of an arm |44, said end being held therein by the split key |45. Arm |44 is journaled on stud |0| which carries wheel 9| and has secured thereto a fiat spring |46. Spring |46 extends across the rear of wheel 9| and said wheel rotates in engagement with said spring. Wheel 9| has a slot 9|b in the rear side of its rim, one end of which is formed substantially on a right angle and the other end of which has a rather long inclined portion 9|c. Spring |46 is adapted to enter slot 9|b when wheel 9| is in a certain position.

The rails 48 have secured to their outer sides an indicating bracket |50 having a downwardly directed point designating the inner ends of tanks 32 and 33. Said rails also have secured theretocarrier-moving cam plates |5|. Plates |5| have slots |5|a extending horizontally at their lower portions through which extend the studs |52 securing them to the rails 48 so that said plates may be moved and held in different positions longitudinally of rails 48. A small bracket |53 is secured to the side of each track member 48 and extends upward at one side of the chain 49. Said brackets have forwardly and downwardly inclined ribs which act as cams for a. purpose to be later described.

It is desired to protect the films passing through the various tanks from as much light as possible and for this purpose plates are provided shielding the films from direct light. A plate |54 extends across the front of the machine below track members 48 having its central portion substantially against the front of tank 28 and said plate is oiset outwardly at its sides and has portions overlapping the inner sides of the front flanges of forward posts 25. Said plate has buttons |55 thereon adapted to engage the outer sides of said flanges to hold said plate in position. Plate |54 is removable when released by turning buttons |55. A plate |56 has its bottom reversely bent to form a bight or groove portion which engages over the top of plate |54, said plate |56 extending upwardly between rails 48 and into a vertical slot |5|b in the forward plate |5|. A plate |56a extends between and engages the rear sides of forward posts 25 being secured to said posts by thumb screws |5617, said plate extending from the top of said posts to a line some distance below the top of plate |56. Another plate |51 exten-ds between the members 48 having its lower edge just in front of partition 33a and having side portions extending into a vertical slot |5|c in rear plate |5|, plate |51 having a curved intermediate portion disposed in slot |5|c and frictionally held therein. A plate |58 extends between the forward sides of rear posts 25 from the top thereof to a line some distance below the top of plate |51, the same being held in place by screws |59 secured to said rear posts. versely across the rear of the rear flanges of the rear posts 25, the same extending vertically to the drain plate 43. Drain plate 43 has upwardly extending flanges 43a at each side thereof and said plate has secured thereto a vertically extending plate 4317 having rearwardly extending flanges 43e at each side. Flanges 43a and 43o are secured to small triangular plates 43d having a rectangular portion extending in front of and below the top of plate |60. Plate 43h extends upwardly between rear posts 25 to a line slightly above the bottom of plate |58. Plates 43 and 43h are supported on top of plate |50 and wing nuts |6| are threaded on studs projecting from plate |60, which studs pass through a portion depending from plate 43. Plates 43 and 43d are thus firmly and removably held in place.

Bracket 45 has a stud |64 secured therein on which is pivoted a lever |65. Said lever has a weighted lower end in which is carried a headed screw |66 adapted to engage the lower part of bracket 45. Screw |66 can be adjusted to determine the normal position of lever |65. Lever |65 has pivoted to its upper end a hook or dog arm |61 which overlies chain 49. Arm |61 has an arrow-shaped head forming a hook adapted to engage in the links of chain 45 and move the same when said arm is moved longitudinally thereof. A small chain |68 is secured to the weighted end of lever |65 and has its other end secured to the lower side of rear plate |28. It will be understood as above stated that there is a lever |65 and connected parts at each side of the machine. l

A bracket |10 of plate-like form extends along the inner side of the rear flange of each rear post 25, said bracket extending inwardly and having a lug |10a thereon. Lug |10a is secured to the A plate |60 extends trans-v vertical iiange la of a track member |1| similar 75 the latter.

to track members 48. Track members |1| each have an outwardly extending horizontal top flange on which is disposed a shallow channel bar and each has an outwardly extending horizontal bottom flange having a short vertical flange at its outer end forming a trough. Members |1| have secured at their ends brackets |12 similar to members 46 having cylindrical end portions and an endless chain |13 extends around said end portions on each track member |1|, the top run of said chain running in said shallow channels on the top flange of members |1| and the bottom run traveling in the trough formed by the lower flange. Bracket |10 is cut away as shown at |100 just above the top run of chain |13 to permit the passage of the ends of the film-carrying bars |69 and said cut away portion is covered by a small piece of fabric |69a such as felt for the purpose of shutting out light. A bracket |14 is secured to the inner side of each member |1| extending downwardly and outwardly to receive a stud |15. A lever |16 of bell crank form is pivoted at its angle portion on each stud |15, said lever having an arm extending along the outer side of track member |1| and having pivoted thereto a hook or dog |11 which overlies the bottom run of chain |13. Member |11 has an arrow-shaped head portion forming a hook adapted to extend into the links of chain |13 so as to move said chain when said member is moved longitudinally thereof. The end of the other arm of lever |18 is weighted as shown in Fig. 3 and has connected to the end thereof a small chain |18 which extends upwardly over a sheave |19 mounted in a small bracket |80 secured to the upper end of each rear post 25. The other end of chain |18 is secured to the lower rear corner of rear plates |28. Bars |8| are secured to the rear ends of track members |1| respectively and project therefrom. Track members |1| are supported adjacent their rear ends by vertical posts |82 disposed at the outer sides thereof. Posts |82 are of channel shape and are connected at their upper ends to a cross channel bar |83. Channel bar |83 supports a pair of longitudinally extending angle bars |84 having their horizontal flanges directed inwardly. Bars |84 are supported at their inner ends on an angle bar |85 extending transversely across the rear flanges of rear posts 25 and secured thereto by screws |86. A plate |81 extends across and between said rear posts 25 inside of angle bar |85, being secured to rear posts 25 at its bottom by screws |81a. Plate |81 has a narrow portion at its lower end bent rearwardly in a horizontal plane which forms a support for the inner end of a hood |88, said hood being of rectangular form in vertical cross section and having side portions |88a bent downwardly and extending in vertical planes. Said side portions I88a at their inner ends extend downwardly along the outer side of a fanlike projection |10b on bracket |19. Said hood is shown as having reinforcing straps |88b at its front and rear'ends.

Side plates |89 extend downwardly from the inner sides of track members |1|, the same being secured to bolts |90 which secure said track members to brackets |10. Wing nuts |9| are threaded on said last mentioned bolts to hold plates |89 in position, said plates thus being removable upon removal of said wing nuts. Rods |92 extend from the angle bars |84 respectively to the rear part of hood member |88 to support Said rods have their end portions bent at right angles and extending through said angles |84 and the side portions |88a of said hood as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. said end portions being held by cotter pins |93.

In addition to the plates already described for excluding light small plates |84 are secured to the small angle bars |34 at the front and rear of the frame just above the track members 48 and extend a short distance inwardly and vertically. A plate |95 has a portion extending along the outer side of the rear flange of each rear post 25 said plates being secured to said posts respectively by the wing screws |96a. Said plates |85 are bent at right angles and have a portion |95a extending forwardly some distance inside of rear posts 25, the same extending substantially to the rear tank 34. Just above the rear portion of chain 49 said forwardly extending portion |95a extends farther forwardly and has its terminal portion again bent yat right angles and extending inwardly as shown at |85b. Portion |85a just below rear track member |1| is cut away and froml said cut away portion to its top is bent outwardly at a right angle as shown at |950. said portion |95c being disposed just in front of rear conveyer |13. A small cam bracket |96 is secured to the rear side of portion |95c adjacent its top and has a downwardly and rearwardly inclining edge disposed at the outer side of rear conveyer |13 for a purpose to be later described.

In operation, the lms 200 are suspended on the holders 20| having clips 20Ia at their bottoms for grasping said lms. Said holders 20| are secured to the carrier bar |69 and said holders also have a clip 20|b at the upper end which may hold an identification card for the particular film or set of pictures being developed. Weights 20|c are secured to the bottom of each film 200 to insure that it will be retained in vertical depending position. One bar |68 has several holders 20| secured thereto, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated said bar being shown as carrying ve holders. The bars |69 with the films thereon are brought to the machine and the lms can be moved rearwardly in between track members 48 and conveyers 49 and the ends of bar |69 dropped against the front of brackets |53. The bars will slide down the front inclined portions of brackets |53 and rest on alined lin of chains 49. With the bar in such position it is in position to be picked up by the .front carriers |3| on the rails |30 and plate |28. Tank 3D will contain a developing solution, tank 3| will contain a short stop solution and tank 32 will contain a hypo solution. Tanks l33 and 34 will contain water forming a washing fluid. It is desired to keep the developing and other solutions at a certain temperature and ordinarily water will be circulated in tank 29 to keep said solutions at the desired temperature. Said water can overflow into sink 28 and pass out through the drain pipe 28a. The motor 91 will be operated and worm gear 82 will be driven from said motor through belt 95 and pulley 94. Both worm wheel gears 60 and 1| will be constantly driven. It will be seen that lever 81 and clutch operating member 83 are in one of two positions and that one or the other of clutch members 64 and 18 are in engaging position. Assuming that clutch member 18 has its pin 18a engaging stud 11 of worm wheel gear 1|, said worm Wheel gear will rotate member 18 and through said member and the ball bearing 19 and its connection to shaft 69 will drive shaft 69. Clutch member 18 is held in engaging position by spring 8|. Shaft 69 being driven drives sprocket wheel 15 and chain |26 is thus driven. Sprocket wheels |20 and |23 are rotated and these in turn rotate sprockets |2| and chains |22 are driven, the forward runs of these chains moving upwardly. Blocks |21 are carried upwardly and with them plates |20 and rails |30. As the tops of said rails and plates rise from their lowest position the forward carriers |3| engage the ends of bar |69, said bar thus being lifted and sliding rearwardly on the inclined portions of said carriers |3| to the horizontal portions thereof. Said bar is lifted and carried upwardly and when blocks |21 move around the upper sprockets the rails |30, plates |28 and carriers |3| are moved rearwardly. Said parts and the carrier carrying the film now begin to descend and the film is lowered into the forward portion of tank 30. It will be understood that the rails |30, plates |28 and parts carried thereby are counterbalanced by the weights |32. As plates |28 moved upwardly the roller |2811 engaged lever |36, raising the same so that its roller |39 was raised above the step portion on arm |40 and said arm |40 swings forward so that roller |39 is supported on arm |40 and arm or lever |96 held in elevated position. Lever |36 carried with it in its upward movement rod |42 and arm |44. As arm |44 is moved upwardly spring |46 slides along the rear side of the rim of wheel 9| and vslot 9|b is in position so that spring |46 snaps into said slot substantially engaging the straight side thereof. Counterweights |32 move up the front side of chains |22 as rail |30 descends and when the uppermost weight passes over the top of sprockets |2| it engages arm |40 moving the same rearwardly so that the step portion thereof is moved from engagement with roller |39 and lever or arm |36 drops due to its weighted portion |36a. Said arm drops with considerable force and rod |42 is pushed downwardly and arm |44 rotated downwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Spring |46 engages the straight side of slot 9|b and wheel 9| is rotated through a certain distance. It will be noted as shown in Fig. 2 that roller 90 on arm 81 is in the recess 91a when clutch member 18 is engaged as above described. When wheel 9| is partially rotated by the descent of arm |36 it is rotated suiciently to move said wheel so that roller 90 moves out of recess 9|a along the inclined side of said recess and onto the periphery of wheel 9|. This oscillates lever 81 and oscillates clutch dog 83 pushing back and disengaging clutch member 18 against the tension of spring 8| and permitting spring 61 to move clutch member 64 into engaging position. Shaft 69 thus ceases to be driven and the rails |30 and plates |28 come to rest with the carriers |3| below the top run of chains 49. As carriers |3| descend the ends of bars |69 which may be thereon engage the rear inclined edges of the cam plates |5| and are moved rearwardly somewhat by these cam plates coming to rest on the links of chain 49. It will be seen that the end bar |69 which was lifted by the front carrier |3| will be lifted so that the Weights at the bottoms of the films will be lifted over the top of plate |5|b and as stated will be lowered so that it comes into the front portion of tank 30.

When rails |30 and plates |28 move upwardly the small chains |68 are moved upwardly so that -they pull upon arms |65, swinging the upper ends of said arms rearwardly and moving rearwardly the members |61. Members |61 have their end portions engaged in links of chains 49 and the top runs of said chains are thus moved rearwardly the distance of one link or a distance equal to the distance between the centers of adjacent llnk pivots. It will be seen that bars |69 restingA on chains 49 will thus be intermittently moved rearwardly through the various tanks in which they are disposed. When a bar is moved so that it is adjacent the rear wall of its tank it will be picked up by a carrier |3| in the movement of rails |30, lifted, moved forwardly and lowered into the front portion of the next adjacent tank. The cam plates |5| are provided to give a slight rearward movement to the bars |69 just before they come to rest on chains 49 so that there will be assurance of plenty of clearance for the next bar that is lowered onto the chains 49.

As above stated when wheel 9| was moved by arm |44 shaft 69 ceased to be driven and clutch member 64 was engaged so that shaft 51 is driven.-

Shaft 51 rotates the crank disks 56 at its ends and links 54 are raised and lowered by the rotation of crank pins 55. Brackets 50 are vertically reciprocated as are also the track members 43 secured to these brackets. These track members pivot about the bolts 45a at their rear ends. This raising and lowering of track members 48, of course, raises and lowers chains 49 and the bars |69 resting thereon. The lms in the tanks are therefore vertically reciprocated and agitated in the liquids while being disposed therein between the movements of rails |30.

As link 53 are reciprocated rod ||0 is reciprocated thus reciprocating arm |09. This oscillates arm |02 about the center of wheel 9| and arm |04 is reciprocated. Roller or block |06 is pressed against the periphery of wheel 9| and reciprocated and this roller or block acts as a pawl frictionally engaging said periphery and intermittently moving or rotating wheel 9|. As arm |02 moves upwardly wheel 9| is thus rotated and in the downward movement of arm |02 roller |06 rolls along the periphery of wheel 9|, arm |04 being in position to swing about its pivot |03. Wheel 9| is thus rotated step by step and the recess 9|a will in substantially one rotation of the wheel again come under roller 90. When this occurs said roller drops into recess 9|a again oscillating arm 81 and moving clutch operating member 83. Clutch member 64 is now moved back to disengaged position against the pressure of spring 61 and spring 8| moves clutch member 18 into engaging position. Shaft 69 and sprockets 15 are again driven and rails |30 and plates |23 again start on their upward movement to lift the bars |69 at the rear of each tank, move them forwardly and lower them into the next tank. Chains 49 are given another rearward movement as said rails reach their high point. The stud 11 is made with an inclined side so that should any obstruction get in the way of rails |30 or plates |28 said stud will force back pin 18a and member 18 against the pressure of spring 61 and the clutch will be disengaged thus preventing damage. Spring 12 is provided to prevent pin 18a from moving away from stud 11. When counterweights |32 are descending at some times there is a tendency for shaft 69 to run ahead of the worm wheel gear 1|. This is prevented by spring 1|a.

The ball bearings 65 and 19 are provided so that there will be no binding on the clutch members 64 and 18 in their movement longitudinally of shafts 51 and 69. Such binding might occur due to the circumferential strain on said clutch members. It will be seen that arm |09 can be moved longitudinally of rod |0 so as to be at different distances from the center of wheel 9|, thus giving different effective lengths of arm |02 and moving wheel 9| a greater or lesser distance at each impulse of roller |06. The pressure oi spring |46 on the rear of wheel 9| prevents any overrun of said wheel or any backward movement thereof when roller |06 moves thereon. Spring |46 thus acts as a stop pawl. The indicators |88 of which there Will be several on arm |02 are preferably marked with a numeral indicating the minutes that it will take to rotate wheel 9| which is the time between transferring and advancing movements or said numeral may represent the time in minutes which it takes for a lm to move through all of the tanks. The time that the films will be in the various solutions can thus be accurately seen and can be varied as described. If there are some bars |69 for which there is no place on chains 49 they can be placed on brackets ||3.

When the films have been progressed by chains 49 and reach the rear of tank 34 the bar |69 carrying them will be lifted by the rearmost carrier |3I, moved rearwardly and lowered. Said bar will in its descent engage cam plates |96 and said bar will be moved rearwardly off of carriers |3| and will be deposited on alined links in the top runs of chains |13. Each time that plates |28 descend to their lowest position they pull upon the small chains |18 swinging levers |16 and moving members |11. Members 11 engage links in the lower run of chains |13 and these runs are given a forward impulse thus moving the top runs of said chains rearwardly. Arm |16 is of considerable length and the movement given to chainsJ 13 is substantially equal to the distance of the length of three links of said chains. The bars |69 will thus be more widely separated on chains |13 than on chains 49. This is desirable as the films are being dried while on chains |13 and more spacing is desirable.

The part of the machine forward of the rear sides of rear posts 25 will be disposed in a dark room while the portion of the machine in the rear of said sides will be disposed in an ordinary lighted room. The partition between the dark room and the lighted room will ordinarily be disposed substantially in the plane of plates |68 and |81. It is necessary to shield the lms from light which would enter from the room in the rear thereof. For this purpose the hood |88 and side plates |89 are provided as well as the plates 431;, |81, |58, |51, |56a and |56. It will be noted that the lower ends of plates |58 and |58a are disposed below the tops of plates 43h, |51 and |56 so that said lower ends and tops overlap respectively. It is thus obvious that no direct light can shine upon the lms while in the various receptacles and that very'little light will penetrate beyond plate |58. The light is further excluded by plates |56a and |56 at the front of the machine. It Will be seen that the lms in their progress are lifted over plate |58, moved under plate |56a by conveyers 49, are later lifted over plate |51, moved under plate |58 by conveyers 49, the lms then being lifted over the top of the plate 43h. The plates are then transferred to conveyers |13 and moved within hood |88 and plates |89 for some distance. This hood and plates |89, as stated, act to exclude light. The bars |69 eventually reach bars |8| on which they are deposited from the rear ends of chains |13 and said bars and films will be lifted from these bars for further operation. The lms as they are on the front part of chains |13 will drain and any water dripping therefrom will be deposited on drain board 43 and Will be directed back into tank 28.

Liquid may be supplied to the tanks 30, 3| and 32 by disposing the free end of conduit 35a therein, closing valves 31 and 40 and opening valves 4| and 42. Liquid may be supplied to tanks 33 and 34 by closing valve 4| and opening valves 40 and 42. Pipe 38 is connected to both of said tanks and will supply both tanks'. Tanks 33 and 34 overflow into tank or sink 28. The ejector 35 can be used to withdraw liquid from tanks 3U to 34. The end of conduit 35a Will be disposed adjacent the bottom of the tanks, valve 40 will be closed and valves 31, 4| and 42 opened. Water passes from pipe 39 through the ejector 35 downwardly in pipe 36 and a suction is created so that the liquid is drawn through conduit 35a and also passes down through pipe 36 into tank 28 at the side of tank 33 and the same can drain out through pipe 28a.

The cam plates will, of course, be properly adjusted so that the descending group of films will be positioned as desired in the various tanks.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a most ingenious and eilicient machine for handling films. After the lms are placed on the conveyers 49 they are not again manipulated until taken from the bars |8l. They are successively moved through the various solutions and liquids and are agitated while disposed therein. The machine can readily be set for a faster or slower movement of the films as is desirable. Very accurate and satisfactory developing of the films can thus be had. The machine is comparatively small and takes up a comparatively small space in a commercial establishment Where it is used. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and eiicient and is being commercially made.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the apparatus without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in an apparatus capable of carryingout the objects above set forth, such as disclosed and dei-ined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

l. A film treating machine having in combination, a receptacle for holding treating liquid, a conveyer adjacent said receptacle movable longitudinally thereof, a carrier on said conveyer for holding a ilm, which lm extends into said receptacle, means for intermittently moving said conveyer to progress said film through said receptacle, means operated at regular times for raising, advancing and lowering said lm to position it in said receptacle and remove it therefrom and means operated between said times and while said conveyer is not being moved by said first mentioned means for imparting a multiplicity of vertical reciprocations to said conveyer and lrn between its movements to progress said lm.

2. A lm treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which lms extend into said receptacles, means for intermittently moving said conveyer rectilinearly and longitudinally of said receptacles to progress said film through said receptacles, means for periodically lifting said carriers and films, advancing the same and then lowering the same to transfer said films from one receptacle to another and means for imparting a multiplicity of vertical reciprocations to said conveyer to agitate said films in said liquids between the operations of said last mentioned means and between the movements of said conveyer to progress said films through said receptacles.

3. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films extend into said receptacles respectively, means for intermittently moving said conveyer longitudinally of said receptacles to progress said films horizontally through said receptacles, means for lifting said carriers and films, advancing the same and then lowering the same to transfer said films from one receptacle to another, driving means for operating said last mentioned means during certain spaced periods, means for vertically reciprocating said conveyer to agitate said lms Iin said receptacles and means for operating said last mentioned means from said driving means while said first mentioned means is at rest between said periods and between the longitudinal movements of said conveyer.

s. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films extend into said receptacles respectively, means for moving said conveyer to progress said films through said receptacles, means for lifting said carriers and films, advancing the sameand then lowering the same to transfer said films from one receptacle to another, means forreciprocating said conveyer to agitate saidl films in said liquids, a driving means and means acting at regular intervals for alternately connecting said driving means to one of said first mentionedmeans and last mentioned means and simultaneously disconnecting it from the other of said means.

5. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films extend into said receptacles respectively, said conveyer being movable to progress said films through said receptacles, means for lifting said carriers and films, advancing the same and then lowering the same to transfer said films from one receptacle to another, means for reciprocating said conveyer to agitate said films in said liquids, a driving means, means acting at `regular intervals for alternately connecting said driving means to one of said first mentioned means and last mentioned means and simultaneouslyy disconnecting it from the other of said means and means for varying the length of said intervals.

6. A film treating machine having in combination, a plurality of receptacles arranged side by side and adapted to contain treating liquids, one end of said machine being exposed to light at one side of one endmost receptacle, a carrier for films, means for supporting said films and moving the same forwardly through said receptacles, means for lifting forwardly, advancing and lowering said carriers and films to transfer the same from one receptacle to another and out of said endmost receptacle, a plate at said end extending from the top of said endmost receptacle to a line some distance above said top of said endmost receptacle, a second plate spaced rearwardly from said plate extending from a height above that to which the films are lifted to a line below the top of said first mentioned plate and a third plate spaced rearwardly from said second plate and extending from said receptacle to a line above the bottom of said second plate, said films being lifted over said first and third plates and being moved under said second plate.

7. A film treating machine having in combination, a plurality of receptacles arranged side by side and adapted to contain liquids, a conveyer adjacent said receptacles, carriers onv said conveyer for holding films, which films depend into said receptacles respectively, means for'lifting a carrier and films h eld thereby, advancing it a certain distance and then lowering the same to transfer said films into one receptacle and from said one receptacle into another, a partition at the outer side of said one receptacle extending transverselythereof and to a line some distance above the top of said receptacle and a second partition spaced from said first partition a distance inwardly of said endmost receptacle substantially the same as said first mentioned distance and extending from a line below the top of said first mentioned partition to a height above that to which said films are raised, said films -being lifted by said last mentioned means over said first partition and moved under said second partition by said conveyer.

8. A film treating machine having in combination, a receptacle for holding a treating liquid, a holder for films, means for supporting said holder with said films in said liquid, means for intermittently moving said means to progress said films through said receptacle longitudinally thereof and means for imparting a multiplicity of vertical reciprocations to said holder and films between their movements longitudinally through said receptacle to agitate said films in said liquid.

9. A film treating machine having'in combination, a receptacle for holding a treating liquid, a holder for films, means for supporting said holder with said films in said liquid, means for moving said means rectilinearly longitudinally of said receptacle to progress said films through said receptacle and means for imparting a multipliclty of vertical reciprocations to said holder and films between their movements longitudinally of said receptacle to agitate said films in said liquid.

10. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, means for holding films, means for supporting said last mentioned means with said films disposed in said receptacles respectively, means for moving said first mentioned means to lift, advance and lower said films to transfer the same from one receptacle to another at intervals, means for moving said second mentioned means intermittently to progress said films through said liquid longitudinally of said receptacles and means for imparting a multiplicity of short vertical reciprocations to said films between their said second mentioned means longitudinally of said receptacles to move said films therethrough and means for imparting a multiplicity of vertical reciprocations to said films in said receptacles and liquids while disposed therein and between the operations of said last mentioned means.

12. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of adjacent receptacles for holding liquids, an endless conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films are disposed in said receptacles respectively, means for intermittently moving said conveyer longitudinally of said receptacles to progress said films through said receptacles and liquids therein and means fc-r imparting a multiplicity of short vertical reciprocations to said conveyer, between its movements longitudinally of said receptacles to agitate said films in said receptacles and liquids.

13. A film treating machine having in combination, a receptacle for holding a treating liquid, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacle and longitudinally thereof, a carrier on said conveyer for holdingva film, which film extends into said receptacle, means for intermittently moving said conveyer longitudinally of said receptacle to progress said film through said receptacle and liquid therein and means for imparting a multiplicity of vertical reciprocations to one end of said conveyer to agitate said films in said liquid while said conveyer is not being moved longitudinally of said receptacle.

14. A film treating machine having in combination, a receptacle for holding a treating liquid, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacle and longitudinally thereof, a carrier on said conveyer for holding a film, which film extends into said receptacle, means for lifting said film, advancing the same and lowering the same to position it in said receptacle and remove it therefrom, means for moving said conveyer longitudinally of said receptacle at intervals and means for imparting a multiplicity of vertical reciprocations to said film between said longitudinal movements of said conveyer.

15. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films extend into said receptacles respectively, means for lifting said carriers and films, advancing the same and then lowering the same to transfer said films from one receptacle to another, means for moving said conveyer longitudinally of said receptacles at intervals to progress said films through said receptacles, a mechanism for operating said first mentioned means, a second mechanism for operating said second mentioned means, a driving means, clutches for respectively connecting and disconnecting said mechanisms to and from said driving means, and a rotatable means rotated step by step during the operation of said second mentioned means whose period of rotation determines the intervals between the operations of said first mentioned means.

16. The structure set forth in claim 15 and means for yvarying' the magnitude of said steps to vary said period and intervals.

17. The structure set forth in claim 15 and means operated by said last mentioned means for engaging one of said clutches and disengaging the other.

18. A film treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films extend into said receptacles respectively, means for moving said conveyer to progress said films through said receptacles, means for lifting said carriers and'films, advancing the same and then lowering the same to transfer said films from one receptacle to another at vregular intervals including a member rotated step by step to effect a complete cycle of rotation which determines said intervals and means for varying the length of said individual steps to vary said period and intervals.

19. A lm treating machine having in combination, a series of receptacles for holding liquids, a conveyer movable adjacent said receptacles, carriers on said conveyer for holding films, which films extend into said receptacles respectively, means for moving said conveyer to progress said films horizontally through said receptacles. means intermittently operated for lifting said carriers and films, advancing the same and then lowering the same to transfer said films fromone receptacle to another, means for intermittently operating said last mentioned means at regular intervals including a rotatable member, a complete rotation of which determines the time of operation of said lifting, advancing and lower- Ing means and means for rotating said member in step by step manner to effect a complete rotation thereof, and means for varying the distance said member is rotated at each step for varying the time of a complete rotation of said member.

20. A film treating machine having in combination, a plurality of receptacles placed side by side adapted to contain treating liquids, carriers for films, means for supporting said carriers with said films disposed in said receptacles, means for lifting, advancing and lowering said films to transfer the same from one receptacle to another and a plurality of stationary substantially vertical plates spaced in the direction of movement of said films through said receptacles, said plates having respectively upper and lower overlapping edges disposed a substantial distance above the tops of said receptacles, said films being lifted over said upper edges and moved under said lower edges whereby direct light from the end of said apparatus is prevented from reaching said films and a hood extending from said end of said apparatus having a top and side portions extending downwardly below the overlapped edges of said plates some distance at either side of said carriers and films to further shut out the light.

21. A film treating machine having in combination, a receptacle for holding a treating liquid, a holder for films, a conveyer for intermittently moving said holder in a horizontal line to move said films through said liquid from one end of said receptacle to the other, means for supporting said conveyer and holder with said films in said liquid, a crank, and links operatively connected tosaid crank for vertically reciprocating said supporting means and said conveyer through a small amplitude to agitate said films in said liquid when said conveyer and said holder are stationary.

GLEN M. DYE. 

